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Partner Updates
Salmon SEEson is Here!
Prime viewing season is right now! Salmon are currently spread out through the Green/Duwamish Watershed. Visit the Salmon SEEson website to learn more about viewing locations near you.
Learn more about celebrating salmon season in the recent King County Field Notes.
Looking for Juvenile Chinook in all the Non-natal Places
This spring, King County scientists went looking for juvenile Chinook salmon in streams where they have not been previously documented. After their field work ended, Lauren Hodges, a newcomer to the team, wrote about a day in the life of a field biologist looking for small salmon in surprising places. Grab your waders and come along for a cold, wet day on Vashon!
This study is a collaboration between the King County Water and Land Resources Division, the Suquamish Tribe Fisheries Department, and the Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources Department, with additional collaboration with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Molecular Genetics Laboratory. The work is funded in part by a Cooperative Watershed Management grant from the WRIA 9 Watershed Ecosystem Forum.
Lower Green River Corridor Flood Hazard Management Plan
The King County Flood Control District (District) is pleased to announce that the Lower Green River Corridor Flood Hazard Management Plan (Plan) has been developed and is now available on the District’s website. The Plan serves as a roadmap for how the District will manage flood risks in the Lower Green River Corridor while delivering multiple community benefits. It represents a critical next step in our ongoing efforts to reduce flood risk and help protect people, the economy, and the environment throughout the corridor.
The District’s Board of Supervisors is tentatively scheduled to review and consider the Plan during Fall 2026. The Board could adopt the Plan as drafted, adopt the Plan with revisions to reflect Board input, or choose to defer action. Following Board action, the District will develop a Capital Investment Strategy (CIS) to prioritize flood protection projects.
The River Within Our Veins by PSEMP
This short film produced by PSP and PSEMP work groups details the efforts of Tribal, public, and private organizations working together to study Puget Sound and highlights the importance of nearshore habitat, monitoring, and restoration to salmon, forage fish, and kelp. Watch the short film on Vimeo.
Des Moines Creek Estuary Project
The Des Moines Creek Estuary Project has reached an exciting milestone: 30% design. Located where Des Moines Creek meets Puget Sound, the project will restore critical estuary and nearshore habitat for salmon and other native fish. Improvements include removing shoreline armoring and fill, restoring fish passage, improving riparian vegetation, expanding nearshore habitat, and creating a pocket estuary, providing valuable refuge and feeding habitat for juvenile salmon. With WRIA 9’s support, the City has secured multiple Cooperative Watershed Management and King County Flood Control District grants to advance the project to 90% design. If the City is successful in securing future grant funding and completing the necessary permitting, construction could begin as early as 2029.
Upcoming Restoration at SHADOW Lake
SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve will complete several restoration projects through the end of 2026. SHADOW will be removing invasives and dredging a pond to improve amphibian habitat - come visit and keep your eyes peeled for frogs and salamanders relaxing in their newly renovated home! SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve will also be improving trail accessibility along the boardwalk trail, which will allow visitors of all ages and abilities to more easily enjoy the bog and forest. Finally, SHADOW is excited to finalize the creation of a pocket prairie habitat with a prescribed burn and native planting. Other continuous projects include invasive removal and litter cleanup to keep SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve as pristine as possible for visitors, both wild and human. Learn more about restoration activities and opportunities to get involved.
Upcoming Events
Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group’s 2026 Salmon Shindig
Save the date for a festive evening of appetizers, drinks, and good cheer to celebrate salmon habitat restoration wins in our watersheds!
- Thursday October 15, 6 to 9 pm, Leif Erikson Lodge, Seattle
Your ticket purchase supports our projects and programs and includes appetizers and a hosted bar. Raise your paddle for salmon and bid on original art and other items in a silent auction and/or raffle. Visit the website for more information and tickets.
Duwamish Alive! Saving Our Salmon, Saves Our Orca
Celebrate with Duwamish Alive! in their 20th year of working to restore the health of our watershed and its salmon by removing debris from the river in kayaks, creating healthier habitat by planting native plants and removing invasives plants for more diverse ecosystems. Coalition partners will be working at various sites throughout the watershed from the river to the uplands to raise awareness that all our efforts are connected within this watershed. This is a family friendly event, all are welcome!
Orca Recovery Day is held in collaboration with Washington Conservation Districts. We Are All Connected!
Come Learn about PNW Raptors at SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve
Want to learn more about raptors of the PNW and see these amazing hunters in action? SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve will be hosting an event with Raptorlife's specialist Craig Moran on October 17. You’ll learn the natural history of raptors, their importance in our ecosystems, habitats, anatomy, and the sport of falconry. This is a FREE event for all ages, though children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Register here, learn more, or donate on the SHADOW Lake Website.
Port U Adult Education Series
The Port of Seattle annually hosts a series of free adult education events and tours to educate the public about Port operations, partnerships, and environmental initiatives. Participating community members will have the opportunity to learn from Port/NWSA staff, community leaders, agency, and industry partners. Partners include: the Port Community Action Team, Duwamish River Community Coalition, Environmental Protection Agency, and The Vane Brothers Company.
- Airport 101: Learn more about several of the Upgrade SEA projects, the Sustainable Airport Master Plan, and SEA’s strategic blueprint for future development. 4 to 6:30 pm Wednesday, September 30. Register here.
Volunteer with Green River Coalition
Green River Coalition has been working hard all summer to get sites ready for planting season. The Palmer Slough Phase I and II have had significant work done to ensure as many native species can get into the ground as possible. Their longstanding CWA site has been expanded and so has the work there, managing reed canary grass and preparing the site for the planting season. They are gearing up for Orca Recovery Day on Saturday, October 17th with site partners Kent Parks. Come get your hands dirty learning about riparian ecosystems while meeting your community. Register to volunteer on their events calendar.
Volunteer with Green Tukwila
Join Green Tukwila staff and Forest Stewards as they roll up theirr sleeves to restore Tukwila’s natural spaces. Together we’ll remove invasive plants, plant young trees and native shrubs, and give a boost to our urban forests and watershed.
No experience? No problem! City of Tukwila willl provide all the tools, gloves, and training you need, just bring a water bottle, sturdy shoes, and your best smile. Come dig in and grow the forest of tomorrow with us! View the website to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Grant Announcements
Water Quality Combined Funding Program Now Accepting Applications
Applications for the State Fiscal Year 2028 Water Quality Combined Funding Program are being accepted now through Sept. 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. Funding guidelines are now available.
Puget Sound Stewardship and Mitigation Fund
The Puget Sound Stewardship and Mitigation Fund is enabled by court-ordered environmental mitigation payments related to Clean Water Act settlements by Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (Soundkeeper), Waste Action Project and other citizen enforcement groups. The Fund’s goal is to improve the surface water quality of Puget Sound and mitigate past pollution runoff by supporting water projects related to conservation, restoration, community science, and environmental justice. The Fund has two grant cycles per year, and the specific parts of the Sound where we may have funds for projects can vary from cycle to cycle depending on the requirements of individual settlements.
Apply here. Applications due Friday September 29 at 5 pm PST.
National Fish Passage Program
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released its FY26 National Fish Passage Program NOFO with $15 million available in funding, compared to $10 million in FY25 NOFO. Applications close on April 30, 2027.
Septic System Maintenance Rebate Programs
Maintaining a septic system regularly can help homeowners catch issues earlier and save money. This rebate program offers up to $500 to pay for septic system inspection, pumping, or riser installation. Septic property owners can plan for routine maintenance activities with the rebate program. A rebate is offered once per property starting April 13th, 2026 until July 2027, or until the funding is exhausted.
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